Albumin print, Boulevard de Port Said, Egypt, Ross Munro, Hippolyte Arnoux, late 19th century

This historical photograph shows a busy and detailed scene on the Boulevard de Port Said in Egypt, taken as an original albumin print in the late 19th century. The albumin process used was the dominant photochemical technique of that era, in which egg white was used to bind the light-sensitive silver salts to the paper, giving the photographs their characteristic warm sepia tone, a soft glossy surface, and high detail sharpness. The photograph precisely documents the important waterfront promenade with numerous small boats at the quay, bustling street scenes, and the towering masts of larger ships in the background. The Boulevard de Port Said transitioned directly into the Rue du Commerce and was the economic heart of the city. The prominent sign of the British company Ross Munro & Co on the facade is also a documentarily valuable detail that historically and accurately proves the significant role of British ship chandlers and offices in supplying incoming steamships with coal and imported goods after the opening of the canal.

The authorship is undisputedly attributed to the French photographer Hippolyte Arnoux due to the original signature in the lower left area, who is considered one of the most important chroniclers of the early Suez Canal infrastructure. This print was produced at the end of the 19th century, during the heyday of early Egyptian documentary photography. From a historical perspective, these original albumin photos are of high value as they preserve the rapid transformation of Port Said into a cosmopolitan trade center as an authentic visual primary document.

The historical collector's item is available as a loose sheet, features the original dimensions of 28 x 21 cm, shows small and light creases at the edges and corners, and is in good age-appropriate condition with slight toning; signs of wear are corresponding to age; the bottom margin features the original white caption within the photo negative with the archive number 261, the title "Boulevard de Port-Said," as well as the artist's signature "H Arnoux."